PM Announces New Approach to PE and School Sport

The Prime Minister announced plans for a new approach to PE and school sport, including new School Sports Partnerships and a new Enrichment Framework for schools, to ensure all young people have equal access to high-quality sport and extracurricular activity.

Following Keir Starmer’s meeting with the Lionesses ahead of Euro 2025, the Government announced the creation of a new national network, which will:

• Build strong partnerships between schools, local clubs and National Governing Bodies.
• Focus on identifying and breaking down barriers to sport for children who are less active, primarily girls, and pupils with special educational needs and disabilities.
• Ensure inclusive best practice is shared and adopted widely across all schools in England.
• Be supported by a new Enrichment Framework to ensure all young people have equal access to high-quality extra-curricular activities.
• Be linked to new school profiles, which will publish information about every school’s sport and enrichment offer.

Responding to the announcement, Ali Oliver MBE, CEO of the Youth Sport Trust said:

“We are delighted with the news and the Prime Minister’s commitment to healthy, happy children and successful learners. The announcement of School Sport Partnerships and an Enrichment Framework during National School Sports Week is an important step towards a future where every child can enjoy the life-changing benefits of play and sport. 

“We are grateful to the Government for listening and responding so comprehensively to our sector’s united call for a reimagined approach to PE and school sport. This will be an amazing boost to those who work so tirelessly, often against the odds, in PE and school sport – I know they will harness and maximise every opportunity this brings.

“Children’s activity levels have been too low for too long. Less than half of children are as active as they need to be for normal growth, health and development, resulting in unhappy, unhealthy and, all too often, digitally distracted young people.  We welcome the Government seeking to harness the vast potential of play and sport to change this.

“Informed by what has worked in the past, and underpinned by a new national network, this approach will help increase opportunities for all children to be active at school, supporting them to be happy, healthy and ready to learn, and provide pathways into opportunities within the wider community.

“I want to express our enormous gratitude to everyone who has helped make the case for change, not least the amazing Lionesses. Whether delivering opportunities on the ground or advocating for a more active future, together we have demonstrated why the essentials of childhood, such as play, and the contribution of sport to young people’s personal development, wellbeing and achievement, are fundamental to better outcomes and a better society. 

“We are grateful to the Prime Minister and his colleagues across government for their willingness to embrace a new, transformative approach, which will contribute to progress against his Missions. We look forward to working collaboratively with the Government and the wider sector to build on the announcement and give every child an active start in life.”

The Youth Sport Trust, in line with partners across the sector, have been vocal in their call for change. Their manifesto, developed with contributions from sector partners, as well as children, young people and school leaders ahead of the 2024 General Election, highlighted the need to give every child access to 60 minutes a day of PE, sport and play, including by creating a new national delivery network.